Tris(triphenylarsine)- and tris(triphenylstibine)-chlororhodium(I) complexes and their reactions with hydrogen, olefins, and other reagents

The complex compounds tris(triphenylarsine)- and tris(triphenylstibine)-chlororhodium(I)[RhCl(MPh3)3, M = As and Sb] have been prepared by interaction of MPh3 with bis(ethylene)chlororhodium(I). The complexes generally show behaviour similar to that previously described for tris(triphenylphosphine)chlororhodium(I). Although the present complexes are not as efficient as the phosphine complex as homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts for olefins, they undergo similar chemical reactions with hydrogen, ethylene, diphenylacetylene, tetrafluoroethylene, hydrogen chloride, and oxygen. The complexes obtained in these reactions have been studied by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.